Commercial poultry and pork industry workers are strongly recommended to receive influenza vaccine during an outbreak of avian or swine influenza

During an outbreak of avian influenza or swine influenza, influenza vaccination is strongly recommended for:46

people who work in the poultry or pork industries

people in regular close contact with poultry or pigs

Routine seasonal influenza vaccination does not protect against avian or swine influenza. However, it is possible that, if a person is co-infected with avian or swine and human strains of influenza virus, the 2 strains could reassort and form a virulent strain. This strain could then spread from human to human and start a pandemic. This was the case with the swine influenza pandemic in 2009.47

Influenza vaccination can also prevent humans from transmitting influenza to animals.

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Using the Handbook

Printed content may be out of date. For up to date information, always refer to the digital version: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/recommendations/commercial-poultry-and-pork-industry-workers-are-strongly-recommended-to-receive.